Pregnancy - Smoking

A pregnancy woman is connected to her baby by an organ called the placenta. The placenta sends what mom eats, drinks and breathes to the baby. When a mom smokes the nicotine, carbon monoxide and tars in cigarettes are passed through the placenta to her baby.

How does smoking affect women?

• Smoking when pregnant can lead to health problems for the woman and her baby.
• There is research that shows women who smoke have higher risk of heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and osteoporosis (weak bones).
• There are links between smoking and women's fertility and early menopause.

Babies often weigh less when the mother smokes. Isn't it easier to give birth to a small baby?

Babies with low birth weights usually have more health problems that regular weight babies, and this can often make giving birth more difficult. Babies that have cigarette smoke passed to them in the womb are often smaller because they do not get as much food and oxygen as babies of moms who don't smoke.

Are there any long-term harmful effects on the baby if the mother smokes during pregnancy?

There is some research that links smoking during pregnancy to health problems such as being more likely to get colds and lung infections. Research also shows that children of parents who smoke are more likely to smoke when they get older and may be more likely to have difficulties with learning and behavior.

Can a pregnant woman use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products such as the patch, gum and inhaler?

There is not much research on the effects of NRT in pregnancy. When a women smokes, chemicals such as nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar are passed to the baby through the placenta. NRT doesn't have carbon monoxide or tar in it, just the nicotine. So using NRT in pregnancy may protect the fetus from carbon monoxide, tar and other chemicals. Carbon monoxide and tars are the more harmful substances in cigarettes. It is a good idea to discuss NRT in pregnancy with your health care provider.

How about cutting down on cigarettes rather than quitting for good?

Quitting is best, however cutting down is still good for you, and a great accomplishment. If quitting is your goal, you should continue to focus on why you chose to reduce your smoking so you can keep going until you have quit.

For more information:

Pregnets

Smoking Information

To make an appointment with a Smoking Cessation Counselor at Algoma Public Health, call 705-942-4646.

Pregnancy - Alcohol

No amount of alcohol during pregnancy is safe

Alcohol and pregnancy do not mix... ever. There is no safe time to drink alcohol and no safe amount. Drinking any type of alcohol (e.g., beer, wine, cocktails, coolers, hard liquor) during pregnancy can be harmful to your baby. If you drink alcohol during your pregnancy you may be at risk of giving birth to a baby with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, a lifelong disability. Drinking alcohol when you are pregnant can also lead to: preterm birth, miscarriage or stillbirth.

What if a parent drank but didn't know they were pregnant?

About 50% of Canadian pregnancies are unplanned, so many parents don't expect to be pregnant when they are drinking alcohol. Most people stop drinking as soon as they realize they are pregnant.

If a parent drank during their pregnancy, what should they do?

A person with a uterus who is concerned about the risk of FASD to their babies can call Motherisk at 1-877-327-4636 to speak with an expert about their particular circumstances.

For more information:

Alcohol and Pregnancy

Pregnancy - Drugs

Using street drugs during pregnancy can cause harm to both you and your baby. Babies born to mothers who take drugs may:

• Be born too soon and too small
• Have medical problems
• Go through drug withdrawals
• Have problems learning

Marijuana

Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug during pregnancy.

As with alcohol, there is likely is no "safe" amount of marijuana use during pregnancy. THC, the chemical in marijuana, can pass from mother to the unborn child through the placenta.

Exposure to THC in the womb, may have negative effects on brain development and school performance. There may also be problems with a child's behaviour, including attention deficits, increased hyperactivity and impulsivity. There is also research that shows an increased likelihood of smoking, substance abuse and delinquency among teens who were exposed to marijuana in pregnancy. THC can also be passed from the mother's breast milk, potentially affecting the baby.

Source: Clearing the smoke on Cannabis, Maternal Cannabis Use During Pregnancy (2015), Porath -Waller) 

Call APH's Community Alcohol and Drug Assessment program to talk to a counsellor. 

If you are using or have used drugs in your pregnancy - call Motherisk 1-877-327-4636 for more information, counselling and referrals.

For more information:

Drug Abuse 

Common discomforts in the postpartum period include:

• Sore breasts
• Cramps in the uterus
• Perineum soreness (area around the vagina and anus)
• Vaginal flow
• Difficulties with urination and bowel function
• Changes in the menstrual period
• Emotional changes

Give your body time to heal. When you get home, be sure to call your health care provider to make your six week appt. for a physical and emotional check-up and discussion around birth control options.

The baby blues affect 50-80% of new birth parents. They can occur within the first 3-5 days after birth and usually go away within 2 weeks. You may feel sad, irritable, frustrated which can cause difficulty concentrating and sleeping.

Postpartum depression or anxiety affects one in five (20%) people after childbirth and one in ten of their partners (10%). It may start suddenly or slowly and can occur anytime within the first year after the birth of the baby. Symptoms may include feeling overwhelmed, worried or anxious, loss of interest in usual activities, fearing that you may hurt yourself or your baby, racing thoughts, and anxiety.

What can you do?

• Ask for help
• Take care of yourself
• Accept your feelings
• Take breaks
• Ask for support
• Get counselling
• Consider medication
• Be patient
• Connect with other families

Many couples wonder when it is safe to resume sexual activity after the birth of a baby. While the general guideline is 4‐6 weeks after birth, some couples feel comfortable to have sex again before that time.

Some factors that may influence this decision include the type of delivery, physical discomforts (such as a sore perineum), fatigue, and demands of the new baby. If you are breastfeeding you may notice decreased vaginal lubrication related to changing hormone levels. Using a water‐based lubricant can increase comfort during intercourse.

In general, it is recommended to wait until any stitches have healed, the vaginal flow has decreased, and the mother feels emotionally ready. It is important that both partners discuss their feelings and frustrations as they adjust to parenthood. Keep in mind that pregnancy can still occur in the absence of a menstrual period so using contraception is recommended.

People with vaginas should discuss birth control options with the health care provider at the 6 week postpartum follow-up visit or before.

• Refer to APH handout Birth Control Options for Breastfeeding Families

Find a birth control method that is right for you and your partner. To have a healthy pregnancy and baby, wait at least 18-24 months and no more than 5 years between each pregnancy.